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Category Archives: Homeschooling

With a large family, it is just a given that there is a lot to do around here! With homeschooling the kids, and trying to keep the house at least livable, stopping to figure out what to feed these ravenous little monsters can be quite a challenge!

For awhile, I faithfully kept a menu planned. Somewhere between child four and five, I stopped. I recently tried finding the form on the web that I had used before, only to my complete frustration, I could not find it! I came across many great resources for “household management” forms, but could not find one that had the layout I wanted. So, a grand idea hits me! I am a pretty smart chicka, I can make one myself! I wanted a four week menu that covered all seven days, not just week days. I also wanted to include an afternoon snack, so I squeezed that in, between lunch and dinner.

So, obviously, when you see the B, L, S, D, they stand for breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. I even found some cute clip art to represent different food groups! There is not a ton of space to write, but I like to see all four weeks at a glance, so I don’t repeat similar meals too often. Also, there is a second, blank page, for some reason. If you print, just print “page 1”.

The following link should allow you to print, but will not allow any changes to the form.

Ok, now I am all about healthy eating, and all that. But sometimes you just have to have some good ole comfort food!

The kids wanted some cookies, so we started scrounging around to see what we could make, since I found myself out of chocolate chips! We found a partial bag of Rolos and a chocolate cake mix and a little bit of pecans in the cabinet, which led to these…

Busy, busy, busy. Things to do, places to be, clean the house, work, work, work. Day in and day out! I can’t believe summer is upon us! Where did spring go? My, how time flies!
It’s easy to get so caught up in all the craziness of everyday things that we really miss the things that are so important! You were cooking dinner and working in the kitchen while your 5 year old was chatting and you were saying “uh huh, uh huh”, weren’t you? But what was he saying? Were you really listening?
There is a road close to our house that we drive down quite regularly, several times a week. It is a beautiful country road with trees lining one side, and a field on the other. Much like any other country road, it seems.
To appreciate the true beauty, and discover all the little hidden details, you have to walk down that road. For if you walk, you will find this quaint little trickling stream. You’ll he intoxicated with the scent of wildflowers all along the way. You may just spot a squirrel. You’ll hear the birds singing. You’ll definitely make some wonderful memories with your children.
Just remember to slow down. Getting caught up in the rush, hurrying through everything, you just might be missing more than you think. Enjoy the life God gave you! Slow down!

I love looking at your sweet little face while you’re nursing. I love how your eyes roll back, like it is the best thing on earth. I love watching your little chin quiver as you drink your milk. I love how you open your eyes just a little, as though you want to make sure I am taking it all in, admiring your innocent beauty. I love how you can find my fingers to hold with your eyes closed. I love your sweet baby smell. I love that God created my body perfectly, that I can give you the nourishment you need to grow healthy and strong. I love how I feel my heartbeat when I hold you.

I was talking to a friend this week. (You’ll figure out who you are in a minute!) She said she just doesn’t know how I do it, taking care of five children! I replied with a sigh “it is so crazy at our house!” She looked at me with a mixture of surprise and confusion, and says, “you know it’s funny how Facebook can give such a picture of your life, like it’s just all nice and peaceful all the time!” Or something like that.

Ha! The Facebook Illusion! You know what I’m talking about, don’t act like you don’t! Everyone posts all these details of their life in there, for the whole world to see! But only the good moments, right? You do, after all, want everyone to think you have the perfect life, right? We do it without even thinking about it! You don’t want to post the crazy, bad stuff! People might figure out that you’re a normal person, lol.

Like that day you were at the park, and your son, who has been potty trained forever, poops his pants! Or the day one of your kids almost killed one of the others! Or that sometimes your house is NOT spotless! Or about finding a washer full of cheese puffs at midnight, as you’re throwing in a load of whites…

This will probably be a short post, as the title gives you a hint as to who decides how much time I have to myself! I am writing this, sitting in my van, in our church parking lot. Why, you’re wondering? Because I am DESPARATE for the baby to get a nap! Daddy is in the church with the other four children, yes, being a brave man with three and five year old boys on a Sunday night! So thankful for a brave husband, willing to go to the front lines for his woman! Baby sister fell asleep on the way here, so I am stealing a little bit of quiet time! Going to (GASP) play on my phone now…are mommies allowed to have time for that? I guess baby will decide!